EU wants Rohingya`s safe return to Rakhine

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Staff Reporter :The European Union (EU) wants "safe and dignified" return of Rohingyas to Myanmar, said EU Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management Christos Stylianides on Wednesday. "I hope that the Rohingyas will be able to return soon in a safe and dignified way in Myanmar's Rakhine State," he told it journalists after meeting with foreign minister AH Mahmood Ali at the State Guest House Padma in the afternoon.Stylianides, who earlier, described the Rohingya crisis as the world's "fastest-growing crisis" while visiting their makeshift abodes in Cox's Bazar, stressed the need for political solution of Rohingya crisis through Bangladesh's continued engagement with Myanmar as the crisis originated there.He said the two governments should continue to engage in dialogue to discuss a lot about the issue as "this is the only way to ensure safe and dignified return of Rohingya people to their homes."Stylianides described the state of humanitarian and human rights violation in Myanmar's Rakhine State as "beyond imagination" adding that the EU and international community expressed serious concerns over situation in Rakhine state.He, however, said EU would expand its support for Bangladesh for the cause of forcibly displaced Rohingyas while acknowledging problems caused by the massive exodus of Rohingyas since August 25."I am visiting Bangladesh to send a strong message that EU stands with Bangladesh in this difficult time," he said.The EU Commissioner thanked the government and the people of Bangladesh for giving shelter to the distressed Rohingyas and deeply appreciated Bangladesh's humanity and generosity.Earlier, in the meeting the foreign minister briefed the EU Commissioner about the current situation regarding influx of Rohingyas and apprised that over one million Rohingyas are now living in Bangladesh.He also mentioned that the presence of these vast number of forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals had created massive socio-economic and environmental challenge for Bangladesh.The foreign minister also sought EU's sustained political support so that a sustainable solution to the crisis could be reached in light of the recommendations of Kofi Annan Commission.The EU Commissioner arrived Dhaka from Cox's Bazar on Wednesday after visiting the Rohingya camps where the forcibly displaced Myanmar Nationals have taken shelter.